Global Initiative Reaches $82 Billion Milestone to Connect 2.2 Billion People Offline
Since its inception in 2021, the Partner2Connect coalition has mobilized more than 1,000 pledges from 149 countries, focusing on digital infrastructure, policy modernization, and capacity building.
RMN Digital Events Desk
New Delhi | March 3, 2026
BARCELONA — The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, announced on March 2, 2026, that its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition has secured over USD 82 billion in pledges to expand global internet access. This announcement, made during the Mobile World Congress 2026, marks a critical step toward bridging the digital divide for the 2.2 billion people who remain offline.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized that the initiative is currently on track to reach its USD 100 billion target by the end of 2026. “Today’s milestone shows what’s possible when we pool our collective resources towards making connectivity universal and meaningful,” Bogdan-Martin stated, noting that these investments will unlock “life-changing opportunities” for hundreds of millions in areas ranging from healthcare and education to artificial intelligence.
The latest commitments feature significant investments from major industry players:
- Mobily has pledged USD 1.715 billion to develop data centers, submarine cables, and 5G infrastructure, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a central hub connecting the East and West.
- Ooredoo Group has committed USD 500 million to expand high-capacity fiber optic infrastructure across the MENA region, supporting regional economic growth through resilient networks.
Since its inception in 2021, the Partner2Connect coalition has mobilized more than 1,000 pledges from 149 countries, focusing on digital infrastructure, policy modernization, and capacity building. These efforts are specifically designed to reach the world’s most remote communities and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable internet and the skills to use it safely.
While the growth in pledges is a major achievement, the ITU estimates that achieving universal, meaningful connectivity by 2030 could require a total investment of USD 2.6 trillion to USD 2.8 trillion. The agency continues to call on both public and private sectors to scale up their commitments to connect the remaining quarter of the world’s population. Moving forward, the coalition will focus on tracking these pledges to ensure they deliver tangible outcomes for unconnected communities worldwide.
